UTEP signs three junior college transfers and one true freshman on Wednesday.

S. Kugler

Dec. 18, 2013

EL PASO – UTEP signs three junior college transfers and one true freshman on Wednesday.

Joining the Miners is Alex Villarreal (DT), who signed with Oklahoma State in 2011 and was a three-star recruit out of high school. Thesecond newcomer is Jimmy Musgrave (LB), who was on Oregon’s scout team for two years and earned American Division Mountain Conference first team honors this year. Rounding out the junior college transfers is Nick Jones (TE), who severed in the Marines for five years. The final signee is true freshman Sterling Napier (TE), who was named 2013 District Player of the Year and will be graduating in December to begin training in the spring with the Miners.

Below is complete information on all four signees for the 2014 season.

Alex Villarreal | Jr. | DT | 6-3 | 295 lbs.

Hidalgo, Texas (Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College)

Started two seasons at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College … had best season in 2012 where he helped the Golden Norsemen to their best record ever (9-3) … received All-Southwest Junior College Football Conference honorable mention … started all 12 games as he tallied 80 tackles (33 solo) and two sacks … hit double-digit tackles twice during freshman season … notched a season-best 16 stops (six solo) against Navarro College (11/10/12) and tallied 11 tackles, also against Navarro College (10/27/12) … started all nine games in 2013 … recorded 46 tackles (18 solo), one fumble recovery and two forced fumbles … posted a season-best nine stops against Kilgore College (10/12/13) … signed with Oklahoma State in 2011 after senior season at Hidalgo High School where he recorded 10 sacks and had 12 tackles for loss … in 2010 was a Scout three-star recruit … was named first team All-District, third team Dave Campbell Super Team, third team Texas Football Magazine Super Team and Texas Football Magazine Top 25 Defensive Lineman.

Jimmy Musgrave | Jr. | LB | 6-1 | 220 lbs.

Victorville, Calif. (Victor Valley College)

Played and started in all 10 games at Victory Valley College in 2013 … named to 2013 American Division Mountain Conference first-team defense … efforts helped the Rams to a 6-4 record … tallied 94 tackles (47 solo), eight sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss and one forced fumble … his 9.4 tackles per game ranked first in the conference, while his sack total was ranked fourth … made immediate impact in first game for the Rams as he tallied a season-high 14 stops (nine solo) and two sacks against L.A. Pierce (9/7/13) … recorded 11 tackles (eight solo), a forced fumble, six tackles for a loss and two sacks in a 48-28 win over L.A. Southwest (9/21/13) … notched double-digit tackles against San Bernardino (12), San Diego Mesa (11) and Southwestern (11) … walked on Oregon football team where he was on the scout team for two seasons (2011-12) … named 2010 Daily Press Football Defensive Athlete of the Year during senior season at Silverado High School … also received Presidential Academic Award in 2010 … named to All-Desert Sky League Football Team as a running back (79 carries, 452 yards & six touchdowns).

Nick Jones | Jr. | TE | 6-6 | 255 lbs.

Buffalo, N.Y. (Erie Community College)

Played in seven games at Erie Community College in 2013 … caught 17 passes for 214 yards (12.6 avg.) and two touchdowns … had best game during a 35-7 victory over Onondage Ogres (10/26/13) with three catches for 46 yards and two scores … set season high in yards (49) and longest reception (33 yards) against Hudson Valley Community College (9/28/13) … had season-high four catches at Milford Academy (9/14/13) … hauled in seven catches for 87 yards and a touchdown during 2012 campaign … earned the 2013 Top WNY Junior College Football Scholar Athlete award for excellence in collegefootball and academics … served in the Marines from July 2007 to April 2012, including four tours of duty … earned 12 ribbons, including the combat action ribbon, the humanitarian ribbon, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal … all around athlete who also played basketball and lacrosse at West Seneca West High School.

Sterling Napier | Fr. | TE | 6-3 | 240 lbs.

Rio Ranch, N.M. (Cleveland High School)

Four-year starter at Cleveland High School (Rio Rancho, N.M.) … played tight end and defensive end for the Storm … caught 43 passes for 682 yards (15.9 avg.) and three touchdowns … tallied 31 tackles (four solo), 6.5 tackles for loss and two sacks … helped No. 3 ranked Storm to an 11-2 record in 2013 … registered a season-high 172 yards receiving on seven catches and a touchdown in a 38-14 win over Volcano Vista High School (11/1/13) … caught a season-high eight passes for 106 yards during a 41-21 win over Clovis High School (9/20/13) … hauled in six passes for 110 yards and a score in a 52-12 victory over Hobbs High School (10/18/13) … is a two-time All-District 1-5A first team honoree … was named 2013 District Player of the Year, 2013 Albuquerque Football Coaches Association’s All-Metro first team and 2011 All-District Honorable Mention … part of 2011 state championship squad … also played on the basketball squad at Cleveland HS … graduating in December 2013 and will begin working out with the Miners during the spring.